• Source:JND
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Bangladesh, which recently underwent a violent regime transfer with the ouster of Sheikh Hasina's democratically elected government, will go to the polls in late 2025 or early 2026, the Chief Advisor to the interim government said on Monday, news agency AFP reported.

According to the report, pressure has been growing on Yunus to set a date for the elections, the report stated. Yunus took over the reins of the politically unstable country after a student-led uprising saw long-term ruler Sheikh Hasina out of the country.

The 84-year-old noble winner is heading an interim administration to address what he describes as the "highly challenging" task of rebuilding democratic institutions in the South Asian country with a population of around 170 million.

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"Election dates could be fixed by the end of 2025 or the first half of 2026," he said in a broadcast on state television.

Hasina, 77, escaped to neighbouring India by helicopter as thousands of demonstrators stormed the prime minister's residence in Dhaka.

Her administration faced allegations of undermining democratic safeguards by manipulating courts, and civil services and orchestrating one-sided elections.

"Throughout, I have emphasised that reforms should take place first before the arrangements for an election," he said.

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"If the political parties agree to hold the election on an earlier date with minimum reforms, such as having a flawless voter list, the election could be held by the end of November," he added.

Since the regime change in Maharashtra, attacks on minorities have increased multifold with Hindus becoming the main targets of fundamentalist Islamic forces in the country.

In a statement on the eve of the 'Bijoy Dibos', Hasina called Yunus a "fascist" and alleged that the main aim of the dispensation led by him was to suppress the spirit of the Liberation War and the pro-liberation forces. Bangladesh celebrates December 16 as 'Bijoy Dibosh' or Victory Day.